Step for cars



(No Model.)

B. E. FASHION.

STEP FOR CARS.

No. 447,304. Patented Mar. 3, 1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELIAS E. FASHION, OF EMPORIA, KANSAS.-

STEP FOR CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 447,304, dated March 3, 1891.

Application filed (Tune 25, 1890.

Serial No. 366.614. (No model.)

-citizen of the United States, residing at Emporia, in the county of Lyon and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful EX- tension-Step for Railway-Coaches, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in extension-steps for railway-coaches.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple, strong, durable, and inexpensive construction of extension-steps capable of being readily operated, and adapted when closed or folded to lie closely against the lower step and be out of the way.

A further object of the invention is to provide an extension that will be securely retained in its open and folded positions without liability of accidentally slipping or moving.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an extension-step constructed in accordance with this invention, showingthe relative position of parts when open and ready for use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the position of parts when the step is folded. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates an eXtension-step,,which is connected to the steps 2 of a coach by means of side plates 3, that are constructed of suitable metal and are adapted to slide along the sides 4 of the car-steps to permit the extension-step 1 to lie beneath the lowermost step 5 and be out of the way when not in use. The side, plates consist of a bottom portion or arm 6, that is suitably secured to the ends of the extension-step 1, and a sigmoidal extension 7, that is formed integral with the arm 6 and' is connected to the front end thereof and extends upward and rearward, and is provided with a sigmoidal slot 8, that receives a suitable bolt-headed rod 9 or the like, which secures the side plates to the side pieces of the car-steps, and which when the extension-step is drawn upward directs the latter to a position immediately beneath the lowermost step 5. The sigmoidal slot prevents the step suddenly dropping to its lowered position and avoids injury to the operative parts of the step, which would result from a sudden drop that would be produced were the slot made inclined and not sigmoidal. The upper ends of the sigmoidal extensions 7 are pivoted to levers 10, that are fulcrumed at 11 near the rear edge of the side pieces 4, and when the rear ends of the levers are depressed the sigmoidal extensions are carried upward and the extension-step is brought beneath the lowermost step, and when the said rear ends 12 are raised the extension-step is lowered and carried into proper position for use. ends 12 of the levers 10 are connected and braced by a rod 13. One of the levers has its rear end connected to an operating rod or bar 14, that is pivoted to the lever by means of the rod 13. The operatingrod or bar has its upper end arranged in akeeper 15, that guides it in its movements, and the said bar or rod 14 is provided in its edges with shouldered notches that are adapted to engage the keeper and maintain the extension-step in its open and folded positions without liability of slipping.

It will readily be seen that the extensionstep and operating mechanism are simple, strong, durable, and adapted to be readily attached to a coach, and is capable of ready and positive operation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination of the extension-step, the side plates secured to the ends of the step and having sigmoidal extensions adapted to be secured to the sides of the car-steps and provided with sigmoidal slots, whereby the step is caused to descend slowly, and suitable operating means, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the extension-step, the side plates secured to the ends of the step and provided with sigmoidal extensions designed to be secured to the sides of car-steps and provided with sigmoidal slots, whereby the step is caused to descend slowly, the levers fulcrumed on thesides and having their front ends pivoted to the side plates and their rear ends connected by a rod, and the operating rod or bar pivoted to the rear end of one of said levers, substantially as described.

8. The combination of the extension-step,-

The rearvidedwith shouldered notches to engage the keeper and maintain the extension-step in its open and folded positions, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELIAS E. FASHION. lVitnesses:

*W. S. J AY, W. C. J AY. 

